Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Sneakers O’Brandes

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I haven’t worn sneakers anywhere except the gym (with one hot-air-ballooning exception) for more than 20 years. Even when clambering around castle ruins, I prefer wearing cork wedges. Gym sneakers that look cute with bike shorts on the elliptical machine don’t work with my red lipstick and regular clothes. So I’ve been on the lookout for non-athletic-looking sneaker options, just in case I ever go hot-air ballooning again. I didn’t expect to find the silver-sequin sneakers of my dreams in Paris, but you never know what will turn up in the soldes. They were perfect for a sunset cruise last night in Mallorca — our last night of vacation.

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You can call me Sneakers O’Brandes. Don’t try to catch me when I’m wearing these.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Tee hee.

    I was having a ‘sneakers’ conversation the other night, because I so rarely wear them and reeeeally resent it when I have to! I don’t exactly live in heels either, but I feel like any kind of training shoe make my legs look like twiglets and my feet like big lumps of cement. It’s an issue I have had since school days…

    Glad you had a nice time in Mallorca!

  5. I’m exactly like you–I never wear sneakers unless it’s during a rare occasion in which physical activity is required. I have only one pair of sneakers: Pumas! But I like your silver ones.

  8. Welcome to the dark side, Wendy. It’s a slippery slope. Trust. (Though I don’t expect to ever actually see you out in the mean streets of NYC in anything other than heels.) p.s. Isn’t ‘silver sneakers’ what they call the senior citizen classes at NY Sports Clubs??? HA! See you soon Miss O’Brandes!

  11. i used to have the coolest la gear sneakers in silver. i also had a pair in gold. and if i remember correctly in hot pink metallic. i was the bees knees in the 90s.

    smiles,
    gina

  12. Sweet — and you can wear these at night and you won’t get hit by a car.

    I love “soldes!” I always thought it seemed like things would be SOLD and not on SALE!

  14. I also had a pair similar to these in the 90s…they made up my entire collection of 4 pairs among combat boots, royal purple suede penny loafers with a studded heel, and victorian “witch” boots. Horrified that I threw any of them away…although my feet have probably grown a good size or two since then. Your pair gives me hope for a rekindling!

  17. Awesome! They remind me of – brace yourself – pink foil sneakers I had in grade 9 from Le Chateau (became Le Crapeau to me). People may have laughed but I still feel an affection for those things! Enjoy your happy shoes.

  19. Wendy they are lovely .. I have to say I am not a sneaker girl either but have had to succumb this year .. too many football matches to go to , and heels do not work nor are they safe.
    I have also just bought some brogues for the winter .. husband is sulking xx

  23. I had to hunt around for cute sneakers at one point too. I ended up with a pair of emerald green Reeboks with green gems on them. My husband says I look like an old lady playing the slots in Vegas when I wear them. HAHAHA!!!

  24. I bet you can run faster and jump higher in those! They’re absolutely fabulous!

    (*Love that mention of the Asics!)

  25. I am thrilled that you found a pair for you. Very Wendy. I don’t wear gym shoes either (unlike you, I also rarely frequent the gym and thus barely touch them at all…ha)

  30. girl, i hear ya! most times the thought of wearing sneakers is rather unappealing. i am about to go on vacation and am trying to narrow down how many shoes to bring. FRUSTRATING! and i might want to go hiking, so i have to bring some of the ugly sneakers. oh well.

    hope you have a fab weekend!